As I think of the approaching New Year and how to shine hope into a world where darkness seems so senseless and all-consuming, this passage in Lamentations refreshes my soul: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him” (Lamentations‬ ‭3:21-25‬).

When our greatest hope is in God, then we always have hope — because we always have God.

God promised us: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews‬ ‭13:5‬).

After the frenzied anticipation of Christmas has passed, we often struggle with the aftermath of disappointment and must manufacture something else to excite us, lest we fall into despair.

God gives us a reason to be excited that doesn’t waver based on our circumstances.

To have, or even recognize this steadfast hope, God must be the center of our life.

He must be the most important reason we have for living.

This is what the author of Lamentations means by “the Lord is my portion.”

As the New Year approaches, a worthy goal is to set our heart to make God the center of everything — work, relationships, leisure, goals, etc.

With Him as our center, in all areas of our life, we will stay centered.

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What does that look like? Seek Him first — first thing in the morning and all through the day.

He is good — He is better than we imagine.

Even when we fail, we can know that His mercies are new every morning, and thus we can begin the day fresh with Him.

There is no one in the world who gives our soul hope like God.